MEXICO CITY , Mexico -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Mexico 's tourism director on Wednesday downplayed the risk of violence facing tourists , despite warnings for travelers to think twice about visiting the country .

A cliff diver jumps from `` La Quebrada '' cliff in Acapulco , Mexico . The diving is a popular tourist attraction .

`` In all parts of the world , you have to be careful with what you do , '' Oscar Fitch told CNN en Espanol . `` What I am saying is there are very safe zones and there are zones that are not safe . ''

In recent days , the United States , Canada , France , Italy and Germany have issued alerts about travel to Mexico , where drug violence was blamed for more than 5,400 killings last year .

The warnings appear to have had little effect , according to Mauricio Baranda , Mexico country manager at Carlson Wagonlit Travel .

`` For our part , we have detected no significant drop because of that type of situation , '' he said . `` Much more significant is the reduction -LSB- in travel to Mexico -RSB- because of the financial crisis . ''

In an unusual move , the U.S. State Department issued a travel alert last month targeting spring break travelers , for whom Mexico is a popular destination .

`` The situation in Ciudad Juarez is of special concern , '' the alert said . `` Mexican authorities report that more than 1,800 people have been killed in the city since January 2008 . Additionally , this city of 1.6 million people experienced more than 17,000 car thefts and 1,650 carjackings in 2008 . '' Watch as troops roll into Juarez and officials say it 's working ''

Some students appeared to be paying attention .

`` I think that , if there is a big problem in Mexico , they -LSB- students -RSB- should go somewhere else , because you never know what is going to happen , '' said Nereida Solis , a student .

`` I think it would be a good idea to consider security things , '' added Karen Velasquez , another student .

But student Aaron Cutler was more fatalistic .

`` That 's life , '' he said . `` There is violence in Israel , there is violence in India . I do n't know much about the situation and how it has turned out . I ca n't comment much , but if people want to go , people are going to go . ''

Mexican authorities said the country remains a preferred destination for U.S. vacationers , but acknowledged that the warnings may lead some of the 18 million who typically visit their neighbor south of the border to find another place to go this year .

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United States , Canada , France , others have issued alerts about travel to Mexico

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Mexican tourism director says visitors should n't worry , just stay alert

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Official : `` There are very safe zones and there are zones that are not safe ''

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Travel company says economy , not perceptions of violence , is hurting most